Tattoo Removal vs. Tattoo Fading – What’s the Difference?
There are many reasons you might be considering removing your tattoo. Perhaps it was a youthful mistake or the name of an ex ‘soulmate’? Or maybe you have regrets about your tattoo placement or color.
If you have a tattoo you’re unhappy with, you don’t have to be stuck with it forever! Tattoo removal and tattoo fading are popular and effective options. What is the difference between these two treatments?
Laser Tattoo Removal
Most experts consider laser treatments the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos. Laser tattoo removal breaks up the ink pigment with pulses of high-intensity light energy. The broken-up ink is absorbed by the body and gradually fades over time. The skin specialists at Health Expressions use the Q-Switch laser for tattoo removal.
The primary benefit of laser tattoo removal is that your tattoo will either be removed entirely or significantly lightened so that it is barely visible. Also, with proper aftercare recommended by our team, the chances of scarring are low.
Laser Tattoo Fading
There are a few different methods of tattoo fading, but the most common is laser treatment. Instead of completely removing the tattoo, the aim is to make your tattoo less visible by ‘fading’ it away over time. You then have the option of covering up your faded tattoo with a new design.
Tattoo fading is achieved using laser treatments with a lower intensity and different wavelength than what is used for tattoo removal. The benefits of tattoo fading are that it’s less painful, requires fewer treatments, and is cheaper than complete tattoo removal.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments you require depends on various factors relating to your tattoo.
- Size. Larger tattoos require more treatments than smaller ones.
- Location. Tattoos on the hands, feet, or face take longer to remove because there is less blood flow in these areas.
- Age. Newer tattoos are easier to remove than older tattoos.
- Color. Darker colors such as black, blue, red, and dark green are easier to remove than lighter colors such as sky blue, bright green, and yellow.
- Degree of removal desired. Fewer treatments are required for tattoo fading as opposed to complete tattoo removal.
We consider all these factors when making a treatment plan for you. You may need 4-12 treatments, which may occur over several months.
Is the Treatment Painful?
We will use a topical anesthetic to numb the area before your treatment. Some people compare the sensation of the laser passing over the tattoo to a rubber band snapping against the skin. The skin is cooled with a medical-grade cream and our state-of-the-art chilling device between each laser pulse.
It’s Time To Get Rid of Those Unwanted Tattoos!
If you’re tired of looking at a tattoo you’re unhappy with, book an appointment with Health Expressions. We offer laser tattoo removal and laser tattoo fading to remove and fade those unwanted tattoos.
At Health Expressions, our laser technician will assess your tattoo and recommend the best treatment plan. If you’re looking for laser tattoo removal in Rochester, NY, or Pittsford, NY, call us at (301) 244-4717 or complete the online booking form.